for everett riverfront plan
TRANSCRIPT
Questions during the presentation?Use the “Q&A” button at the bottom of the screen and type your question.
The Hosts will answer questions at the end of the presentation.
There will also be breakout rooms for smaller group discussion.
MEETING AGENDA
7:00pm Welcome by MyRWA and Mayor Carlo DeMaria
7:15 Presentation7:45 Full Meeting Clarification Questions7:55 Breakout Rooms8:15 Groups Report Back8:25 Next Steps8:30 Adjourn
“Our vision is a vibrant, healthy and
resilient Mystic River watershed for the
benefit of all our community members.”
Transforming Parks & Paths Water Quality Habitat Restoration Climate Resilience
NORTH
ENCORE BOSTON HARBOR
GATEWAY CENTER
NGRID
RIVERGREEN
MALDEN RIVER
MYSTIC RIVER
ROU
TE 1
6MEDFO
RD ST.
BROADWAY
Welcome by Mayor Carlo DeMaria• Everett’s riverfront was invisible, inaccessible and polluted.
• Goals are improved access, recreation, transportation and economic development.
• Ongoing work on many sites includes public improvements and environmental cleanup.
• Thank you to John Preotle for River’s Edge, and to Encore Boston Harbor, for starting the riverfront restoration!
RIVER’S EDGE
MEDFORD
EVERETT2.5 MILES OF RIVERFRONT WALKWAY
PRESENTATION OVERVIEWConsultant Team
City’s Recent Riverfront Improvements & Planning WorkRiverfront Plan Overview & Details
Discussion & Breakout RoomsNext Steps
CONSULTANT DESIGN TEAMPRIME CONSULTANT &LANDSCAPE ARCHITECT
Shadley Associates, P.C.
GEI Consultants
The Vertex Companies
MARINE ENGINEER
LICENSED SITE PROFESSIONAL
CITY OF EVERETT PARTNERS
Context Map and Project Site
PROJ
ECT S
ITE
SOMERVILLE
EVERETT
MEDFORD
MALDEN
GATEWAYCENTER
ENCOREBOSTONHARBOR
RIVERGREEN
MALDEN
RIVER
MAL
DEN R
IVER
MYSTIC RIVER
MYSTIC RIVER
ROUTE 16
ROUTE 16
BROADW
AY –RO
UTE 99
ROU
TE 2
8MBTA
WELLINGTON STATION
NORTHERN STRAND COMMUNITY TRAIL
CONNECTOR TRAIL
NORTH
Summary of the City’s Recent Riverfront Improvements & Planning Work
Recent Riverfront Improvements & Planning Work
• City’s Open Space and Recreation Plan
• Northern Strand Community Trail Extension
• Rivergreen Riverwalk and Park
• Rivergreen Temporary Boathouse and Boat Access
• Rivergreen Shoreline Restoration Projects
• Everett Riverfront District Master Plan
• Gateway Park Improvements & Invasive Vegetation Removal
• Encore Boston Harbor & Connector Trail
Everett - DRAFTOpen Space and Recreation Plan (2019):
“The Waterfront is critical open space in this Environmental Justice and Equity community”
Recent Riverfront Improvements & Planning Work
Northern Strand Community TrailEverett extension to be completed by end of 2022
EXTENSION UNDER CONSTRUCTION
Recent Riverfront Improvements & Planning Work
Rivergreen Riverwalk and ParkRiverwalk (.75-mile) completed in two phases from 2017-2019Park completed in 2019 (turf field, playground, splash pad, basketball, hockey)
NORTH
MALDEN RIVER
Sout
h Cr
eek
North Creek
Recent Riverfront Improvements & Planning Work
NORTH
Rivergreen Temporary Boathouse & Boat AccessTemporary Boathouse:
- Temporary tent structure- Floating dock with gangway- Currently in permitting- Tentative opening in Fall 2021
Boat Access completed in 2020
ApproximateTent Location
(50’x100’)
Recent Riverfront Improvements & Planning Work
Rivergreen Restoration Projects:South Creek, North Creek and Malden River ShorelineTo reduce flood risk, provide additional wildlife habitat, open river views, and enhance public access.
Invasive vegetation removal at the Malden River
North Creek Restoration – dredged channel and new native planting
Recent Riverfront Improvements & Planning Work
Rivergreen Restoration Projects:Malden River Shoreline
Recent Riverfront Improvements & Planning Work
Everett Riverfront DistrictMaster PlanDeveloped by another consultant team in 2020
Master Plan goals include:
• Create a transportation network for better access and development potential
• Reconnect the public with the Malden River
• Encourage economic development
• Create a vibrant mixed-use neighborhood
• Phased implementation
NORTH
Recent Riverfront Improvements & Planning Work
Mystic River Reservation at Gateway Park (20± acres)- Removal of invasive plants along shoreline- New signage- Cleanup and repair
Recent Riverfront Improvements & Planning Work
Encore Boston Harbor & Connector TrailEncore Boston Harbor (completed in 2019)
- Public waterfront walkway with connection to Lower Broadway
Connector Trail (completed in 2019)- Connection between Gateway Park and Encore Boston Harbor - Access to Northern Strand extension (to be completed in 2022)
Recent Riverfront Improvements & Planning Work
Top Answers
Walk
Boat (canoe, kayak, row)
Bicycle
Run
Also…
Fishing
Using a wheelchair
Watching Rowing
Parkour
Doing cleanups
Walking dogs
Painting
Spending time with family
What’s your favorite thing to do on the riverfront?
Overall Design Goals
• Connect destinations, parks, and bike paths
• 10-foot wide walkway for two-way travel for pedestrians and bicyclists
• Overlooks with seating and shade structures at important views
• Location for accessible canoe/kayak launch
• Abundant seating and bicycle parking along the riverfront
• Educational and interpretive elements and identity/wayfinding signage
• Lighting along main walkways for security and extended use
• Remove invasive vegetation to open views
• New native planting for erosion control, shade and wildlife habitat
The Riverfront Plan Overview
Overall Concept PlanProject Site divided into six areas for further detail
The Riverfront Plan Overview
NORTH
Plan 2
Riverfront Plan Details Gateway Park Central – Canoe / Kayak Launch
RECENTLY COMPLETED CANOE/KAYAK LAUNCH AT MACDONALD PARK IN MEDFORD
Planning for Possible Boat Moorings- Intended to serve Everett Residents, maximum 25’ boat length- Quantity will be based on demand and other river uses- Maintain federal navigation channel
Riverfront Plan Details
Riverfront Plan Details Water Quality“The sediments do not pose a health risk that should prevent people from boating on the Malden River.”
– Malden River Human Health Risk Study for Boating 2018
Boating Advisory – Be Safe!www.mysticriver.org/boatingadvisoryTwitter: @safemystic
Recent Waterfront Improvements
Full Meeting Clarification Questions• How does the Riverfront Plan connect with other bike/walking trails?
It will connect to other trails wherever possible! There is already a ped/bike underpass at Route 16, the Northern Strand Community Trail is under construction behind Gateway Plaza, and planning and funding are underway for a ped/bike bridge over the Mystic River just south of the dam.
• Will the Riverfront be open and free to the public?Yes, the Riverfront will be fully open and free to the public.
• What is the width of the Riverfront Walkway and what will it accommodate?The Riverfront Plan calls for a 10’ width clear on the main route and boardwalks. This can be re-evaluated in final design phases as the project moves forward.
• Can you please explain the proposed mooring plan in more detail, and describe the City’s and MyRWA’s position on it?
The plan for the moorings in the river is a CONCEPT, a VISION. The plan will evolve with discussions with groups, abutters, and boaters, as the river is a shared resource.
Discussion & Breakout Rooms• Do you have questions about the plan?
• What do you like most about the plan? What do you like the least?• Boardwalk through wetland at Gateway Park• Canoe/kayak launch at Gateway Park• Boathouse at Rivergreen• Pavilion and picnic area at Village Landing Park• Overlook pier at Gateway Park• Multi-use path• Plaza with public art• Environmental restoration• Boat moorings
• What do you think is missing from the plan?
• What are the biggest issues/challenges you see?
• Continue to develop individual projects that improve the riverfront and the environment (Rivergreen boathouse, environmental work, public involvement).
• Identify and obtain funding for phased construction.
• For the funded areas: prepare field survey, perform final design, obtain all permits, bid and construct.
THE CREATION OF THE RIVERFRONT IS A MULTI-YEAR PROJECT THAT WILL HAVE SIGNIFICANT COMMUNITY INVOLVMENT.
Next Steps
Thank you for participating!The City and MyRWA want to hear more from you about the Riverfront
Please participate in the survey below:
https://forms.gle/fdNJuCvwrhnqzWRFA
Or submit your additional comments to:
Tom Philbin, City of [email protected]
Project information can be found at:www.ci.everett.ma.us
Comments will be received until June 4, 2021